Primark to extend opening hours at UK stores as huge queues expected

Primark is set to extend opening hours at the majority of its stores to cope with huge customer demand.

The stores will open for an extra two hours per day on average, typically an hour earlier and later.

It comes as the company expects there will be huge queues when stores reopen next week.

After the first lockdown was lifted, customers were seen lining the streets outside some North East stores.

Primark said it plans to offer extended opening hours across its England and Wales stores to spread demand and help customers shop safely, the Mirror reports.

The chain said following in 2020’s footsteps, there will be strict social distancing in place, limits on the number of customers allowed in store and face covering laws will be adhered to.

Primark has 189 shops across the UK, of which 153 are located in England.

Times will vary by store this time, so customers should check their local opening hours by using Primark's shop locator tool.

The announcement comes as non-essential shops were yesterday given the green light to reopen on April 12, alongside pubs, restaurants and community centres.

Paul Marchant, Primark's chief executive, said: “It’s great to be back.

"Our stores are fully stocked with fresh new season fashion, all at Primark’s famous amazing prices.

"Between our great value, everyday must-haves and hot new season trend collections, we’ve got everything our customers have been waiting for."

Stores reopened on December 2, 2020 and many had extended opening hours to make up for lost shopping time and ensure Covid safety – however a spike in Covid infections led to a third lockdown as Britain entered the new year.